Contents

History

Early life

Rhaena was born in 23 AC to Prince Aenys Targaryen and Lady Alyssa Velaryon. Following Rhaena's birth, people suggested that her uncle Maegor would fall behind her in the line of succession, as she was the eldest (and at the time only) child of Aenys, the heir to the throne. The next year, Queen Visenya Targaryensuggested a betrothal between her son Maegor and Rhaena in order to settle the succession issue. Both Rhaena's parents and the High Septon protested the match. The High Septon instead suggested his niece, Ceryse Hightower, as a bride instead.[4][3][1]

The marriage of Rhaena and her brother would last only a few years, during which time she gave birth to twin daughters,

Reign of Maegor I

In 42 AC Rhaena and Aegon found themselves besieged at Crakehall by members of the Faith. Upon learning of this news, Rhaena's father, King Aenys I, collapsed, and died soon after on Dragonstone. Dowager Queen Visenya brought Prince Maegor back from his exile in Essos. With Aegon and Rhaena away from Dragonstone, Maegor seized the crown.[3][1] When the Poor Fellows who had besieged Crakehall finally departed for a march on King's Landing, Rhaena and Aegon were able to leave. They found refuge at Casterly Rock, where Lord Lyman Lannister protected them by extending guest right. There, Rhaena discovered she was pregnant. Her twins daughters, Princess Aerea and Princess Rhaella, were born at Casterly Rock the following year, in 43 AC.[5]

Although Lord Lyman refused all of Maegor's demands to turn Aegon and Rhaena over, he also refused to pledge his swords to Aegon's cause.[7][1] Aegon fought Maegor for the throne during the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye in 43 AC, but was slain by his uncle, leaving Rhaena a widow.[3] Rhaena disguised her daughters and sent them away with allies, even hersefl unaware of where her daughters went. However, she could not disguise herself because of her dragonDreamfyre. She went to Fair Isle and awaited Maegor's summons. As Rhaena had proven to be fertile by giving birth, Maegor summoned her to King's Landing to wed him in 47 AC, hoping to father an heir while weakening any claim Rhaena's younger brother Jaehaerys might make in the future.[3][1] Although many present for the wedding believed that Rhaena was going to give a show of defiance, Queen Tyanna had found Rhaena's disguised daughters, and presented them at the wedding to ensure Rhaena would co-operate. Rhaena wed Maegor in a tripple ceremony, together with Jeyne Westerling and Elinor Costayne, women who had given birth earlier as well. Together, they became known as Maegor's "Black Brides".[2][3][1]

Rhaena's daughter Rhaella was sent to Oldtown as a ward of House Hightower, while her daughter Aerea remained at court to ensure her mothers good behavior. When Rhaena learned that her youngest brother, Prince Jaehaerys, had announced his claim to the Iron Throne, she fled King's Landing on Dreamfyre to join Jaehaerys's cause, taking her daughter Aerea and the Valyrian steel sword Blackfyre with her. Maegor enraged sent a rider to Oldtown commanding Lord Hightower to behead Rhaella as punishment for her mothers betrayal, Lord Hightower refused and instead imprisoned the messenger. [3][1] Following Maegor's death in 48 AC, Rhaena accompanied her siblings Jaehaerys and Alysanne to King's Landing upon her dragon to claim the throne for Jaehaerys.[1]